# I'm going to take improv classes! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 1, 2006, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076 "2006-06-01T21:43:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2006, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/1 "2006-06-01T21:43:16Z")
I’ve always held a love for improv comedy. There is a little local improv theatre that I’ve frequented (or maybe I should use the verb “stalked”) for 10 years now. Since I was a wee tike. And finally, after all these years, I’m getting to take classes. I’m so stoked! I’ve been taking circuits around the house in an effort to stop being so hyper. I think it’ll be lots of fun, and I’m hoping to not stress too much in terms of my mom. It’ll be good to take my mind off of all of that and help me work out energy and explore more about myself. I’ve always thought I’d be a good actor (who doesn’t when they’re in their early 20s?) and so this will be a good first step! Squee! Yes, a 22 year old, 6’6" man just squeed in excitement. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2006, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/2 "2006-06-01T22:33:07Z")
Take the lesson of “Yes Anding” to heart… then once you feel liek your chops are up (could take 6 months could take 5 years)… abandon that as an idea and embrace “meta-agreement”. IF your teacher doesn’t know what meta-agreement is or disagrees with the concept- I’m not saying drop the class but realize that your teacher is only going to take you maybe I------I this far… while there are teachers, hell even books now that can take you I----------------------I this far. Have fun though. Always keep it fun. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2006, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/3 "2006-06-01T23:56:01Z")
Congrats **ronincyberpunk**!! That’s wonderful. I was in an improv group for about 2 years, (along with another certain doper who may or may not show up in this thread) and it was a blast. It was actually a passion of mine for years, though I’d never done any acting or theatre of any kind till that point. Funny though coming upon this thread today, because just a few hours ago I saw an ad for an improv class in the Onion and thought about perhaps giving a call. It’s been a few years and seeing that ad sorta sparked the bug a bit again. Anyway, you should check out the book [Impro](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0878301178/sr=8-1/qid=1149206016/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-7947082-1216160?%5Fencoding=UTF8) by Keith Johnstone. It’s truly a fascinating read. Have fun! ---
**Author:** ![Lama\_Pacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Lama\_Pacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lama_Pacos)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/4 "2006-06-02T00:10:04Z")
Cool, I’m taking classes this summer too. Improv is great-- you’re right to be psyched. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/5 "2006-06-02T01:51:53Z")
Don’t forget, there’s no better way to reach a dramatic climax in an improv scene than to pull an invisible gun. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/6 "2006-06-02T02:17:43Z")
Why wait! Cut right to the climax and pull out the gun within the first minute! (please don’t do that.) ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/7 "2006-06-02T02:22:35Z")
**PushYouDown** - Well with multiple levels of classes I doubt we’ll get to meta-agreements. This course focuses on the “Yes And” though. I’ll be taking them at Sak Comedy in Orlando for anyone who is curious, if the name is known or not. ---
**Author:** ![ddgryphon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@ddgryphon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddgryphon)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/8 "2006-06-02T02:34:56Z")
Great, some of the best fun and most invigorating work you’ll ever do. I cherish my time working in improv as a wonderful broadening experience. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![saramamalana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/9 "2006-06-02T18:47:33Z")
I’m the doper \*\*Moe \*\*is referring to. And yknow Moe, that’s how we became friends in the first place, remember? Ahh, mem’ries. Those are some of my fondest memories of college. I really need to get that itch scratched again. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ensign\_Edison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@Ensign\_Edison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ensign_Edison)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/10 "2006-06-02T19:09:38Z")
Good for you. You’ll probably have a great time, and learn some interesting things. I started out taking classes, and ended up joining a troupe for a year. Always remember, specific is funnier than general: Velveeta is funnier than cheese. And don’t be a brick wall (“yes and” as you say). If you know those two rules and you don’t mind making an ass of yourself, you’ll be a star. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/11 "2006-06-02T19:11:29Z")
Woo! I took an improv class at the local community college and had a blast there. It’s actually, I think, the only time I ever smiled while on-campus. All the people were great & fun, too. ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/12 "2006-06-02T20:38:43Z")
Should you be telling us that in advance? ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2006, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/13 "2006-06-02T23:09:38Z")
> [@ronincyberpunk](#): > > **PushYouDown** - Well with multiple levels of classes I doubt we’ll get to meta-agreements. This course focuses on the “Yes And” though. > > I’ll be taking them at Sak Comedy in Orlando for anyone who is curious, if the name is known or not. Hey, I’m a local, and I have been to SAK several times, for many entertaining nights of comedy. I know a few of the people, and everyone there seems really friendly and nice – and very talented. Drop me a line off the boards if you want, as we may turn out to have mutual acquaintances. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/14 "2006-06-03T05:28:18Z")
Isn’t the term “Improv Class” an oxymoron? jus’ wonderin’. ---
**Author:** ![Lama\_Pacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Lama\_Pacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lama_Pacos)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2006, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/15 "2006-06-03T06:10:01Z")
Well, at the risk of being whooshed, an improv class develops the skills necessary to be able to act improvisationally. A soccer game doesn’t always play out the same way, but you still have to train to be good. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/16 "2006-06-07T01:29:26Z")
So how did the improv class go, and who taught them? ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-take-improv-classes/359076/17 "2006-06-07T03:15:32Z")
I haven’t actually taken it yet, and it’ll be an 8 week thing. Mine actually begins on the 25th. I’ll pass on the info once I get it 🙂